Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji - (SS)

Panaji, May 6: The state government is not sure whether any Goans stranded abroad will be among those brought back to India on the 64 flights, since the passenger list is yet to be declared. None of these flights will be landing in Goa. A list of around 2,700 Goans stranded abroad was shared with the ministry of external affairs by the NRI commission. This list did not include seafarers who could be brought back to the state in the second phase via sea.

There are lakhs of blue collared workers, students and poverty struck people abroad, who will be given priority to return home on these flights. Each flight will carry back around 200 people. Once the MEA shares the list with the Indian missions abroad, the decision will be made on who will return back home first, said Anthony D’Souza, director of NRI affairs. He added that several people are stranded abroad with no money and seek to return back on these flights. However, it is left to be seen how they are to pay for their transportation back to Goa where they will be quarantined.